This is the only place to get your fresh corn on the cob! They actually look at the corn before…read morethey sell it!! So very delicious!!!!

You will ask yourself how I can write a mostly negative review of one of the best Farmer's Market…read morearound and still give it 4 stars. So I will explain. The Downtown Farmer's Market is a outstanding venue and is one of the largest in the nation and probably in the state. I have been involved with it every since it first started both as a buyer and as a concessioner. Over the years the market has expanded to extend for many city blocks and attracts vendors from miles around. The downtown market is not a true Farmer's Market in that it allows non-food vendors as well. You will see people selling everything from jewelry to candles; food sellers from local restaurants, wine, clothing, local charities, entertainers, and so on. Among all the vendors are actual produce sellers. A list of most vendors can be found on the Downtown Market website. It is a huge and fabulous Saturday event. And yet I prefer to skip it in favor of other Farmer's Markets which are smaller and more produce oriented for the following reasons. 1. It is VERY crowded. Attendance is high (easily topping 16,000 per Saturday morning) and the jostling and shoving can be overwhelming at times. You will find a lot to purchase but you will leave exhausted. 2. It has become so big that you will find it difficult to find the vendors you really want to buy from among the 220 + vendors. We are talking about 11 streets here and no printed map to guide you. 3. The crowding is aggravated by carts and strollers making it difficult for challenged walkers to navigate. I recommend that seniors try the smaller markets instead. 4. The organizers still have not learned to ban dog walkers. You will have to dodge leases, the infrequent dog fight, and other canine problems. Just think a minute. What would you think if you saw people walking the aisles of the local supermarket with a dog? What we have in the Cedar Rapids Downtown Market is a great market that has gotten a bit too big and needs to be trimmed down. I am a long-time fan of Farmer's Markets and have attended them for many years, long before the downtown market even existed, but my preference is for the smaller markets, which I visit once a week religiously. The downtown market is only an occasional thing.

First off, lets call it what it is people, it's a french market, not a farmers market…read more Supposedly one of the largest 'farmers' markets in the Midwest, and I'd believe it. At least 8 blocks of produce, meat, baked goods, jewelry, crafts, and street food vendors. I didn't check *every* produce vendor but the ones I did notice were all from Iowa. I wish I had a cooler big enough to bring some organic free range chickens raised in Iowa all the way home to Chicago. It's a pity this market is only every other weekend. By 8:30 the streets were packed and a few vendors were running out of green beans and cherries already. Only open till noon so get up early and wander around downtown Cedar Rapids before all the good stuff is gone!

Chemical free veges, fruit and herbs! Friendly and warm people! Good vibes! I have some other…read moreproducts at the farmers markets or at their farm stand such as veggies, fruits, herbs, teas, coffee, pottery, soap etc

Visiting the in-laws in Cedar Rapids Iowa recently. We arrived at lunch time, and they pulled an…read moreabsolutely sensational meat and cheese tray out of the fridge. There was dried fruit, some fresh veggies, three different dips/sauces. And separately packaged were several types of crackers. It was gorgeous!!!!! The large diverse variety of the meats and cheeses just couldn't be beat. I'd have pictures (it deserved pictures) but the ravenous hoard barely waited for it to be unwrapped before they were diving in. I was one of the ravenous hoard ;) Just perfect, highly highly recommend.

I love, love, love charcuterie. I've been following the Hangry Ladys Facebook page for sometime…read moreand always wanted to try her products. Now that she's opened a store front in Newbo market, I had the chance. I got the small box to nosh on while I was out running around, and it hot the spot. Perfect portion for one person with a nice selection of sweet (fruit) and savory. The products were all of good quality and very fresh. I can't wait to get a group together to try her charcuterie pretzal.

Can't use cash at self checkout, 1 cashier and 5 others watching self checkout. Place is a disaster.read more

I went to this Aldi grocery store to pickup some: veggies, cheese, and crackers. I was disappointed…read morethat a lot of their lettuce products along with other veggies appeared wilted and/or bad. I was able to find the truffle cheese that I love there as well as ritz crackers. I had to wait a long time in line to checkout because there was only one cashier. The cashier didn't talk hardly at all and appeared annoyed. Overall, pretty average experience for an Aldi grocery store.

Fun place for apple-picking and buying delicious apple products (recommend the sparkling apple…read morecider and apple donuts). The orchard is huge, with plenty of room to roam and apple tree varieties to choose from, mostly honey crisp, but also crimson crisp, Jonagold, fuji, and gala. Admission is $5 per person and we paid $22 for a two-person you-pick peck. Which was more than enough for us! Cons: Parking was an issue (it was a weekend) with unclear traffic flow through the lot...and it became progressively more busy later in the day.

This was a most lovely orchard experience from start to finish. I began with a visit inside the…read morefarm market, which had fresh apples; frozen applesauce and pies; chilled apple cider + cans of their alcoholic ciders; and merchandise + gifts. Make your way to the register, and you can purchase donuts and turnovers as well as your u-pick bags. I made my apple turnover ala mode, which was worthwhile, and savored it outside overlooking the orchard. So picturesque! After my apple treat, I was ready to pick and made my way to the orchard. Expect some hill climbing and pretty scenery between the apple trees and flower fields. I imagine the trek could be more challenging for families with young ones. Wilson's boasts 100 varieties of apples, one of the reasons I visited the orchard in the first place. At the end of September, I filled my bags with two varieties I had never heard of, which was fun. The rows were well-marked with the apples that were ready for picking as well as the name of the variety. More importantly, the apples were delicious. Overall, I'm very happy I spent a morning here, and I imagine just about anyone else will feel similarly.

just purchases several flowers and vegetables for our garden here. very reasonable prices and all…read moreare doing good and looking beautiful. Love this place!!

Vanessa's was busy when we visited last weekend, and for good reason. The flowers are beautiful and…read morethey have a great, healthy looking selection of vegetables. We grabbed a wagon and loaded it up with hanging baskets of flowers for Mother's Day presents. The employees were courteous, answering questions and assisting us to the car. I returned yesterday to buy some of their huge, beautiful African marigolds. It's planting season! Get to Vanessa's Open Air Market!